Articles written by Michael Orr

What is Helium

About me - Michael Orr

My writing style is one part intelligence, one part wit and one part pain. The combination can be an intoxicant. Beware.

I am a 39 year-old writer based in Arizona. I have degrees in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Math and Physics. I have three wonderful children:

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Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Life: 7 of 183
It's been a strange day. Sitting here in the waiting room at the University Medical Center, inhaling the antiseptic air and trying to block out the noise from the other hundred people who all seem to have brought everyone that they know, I can't figure out where it all went wrong.The day started off well enough, I went to the... More..
Local Guides > New York City Places to see before you die: Reasons to add New York City to "the list": 8 of 61
Everyone should spend some time in New York City before they die. However, it may be better to visit while you're young enough to experience it. One reason it should be on everyone's "To Do" list is that NYC is a unique metropolis that is likely worlds apart from your hometown. The enormous buildings with contrasting architec... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: I am: 27 of 204
Beautiful TragedyI mapped out life with a great strategyThen followed the wrong pathThe prime beautiful tragedyDrown the sorrows with a laughI rose to great thingsAnd climbed to the apexCrashed and burnedAn inverse PhoenixI have beautiful childrenBorn from an ugly marriage Yin and yang Gain and painI obtained whatever I wante... More..
Health & Fitness > Depression How depression and bipolar disorder are different: 5 of 32
While depression and bipolar disorder are often compared and seen as similar, they are two very different illnesses and as such also have very different treatment regimens. Depression is, in general, seen as a 'down' mood that can last hours, days or weeks without treatment. As with most diseases depression has a variety of s... More..
Food & Drink > Wine Overview: Italian wines: 1 of 5
Italians have it all; a love for fabulous food, wine and family. Often these are listed in that order. We'll discuss one third of that formula here with a quick overview of Italian wines.The first grape vines in Italy were an indigenous species that is believed to have been used for wine making as far back as 900 B.C., long b... More..
Food & Drink > Wine Inexpensive wines of value: 2 of 9
Can't afford Chateau Haut-Brion or Opus One on a daily basis? Tired of reading about great values on wines that no stores in your town seem to carry?I enjoy fine wines of structure and significance, often splurge on 'high-end' wines, but for everyday drinking I've had to search for wines that give me the same pleasure at more... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Addiction: 89 of 329
My heart poundsMy pulse beatsHear the street soundsGive me my 9 o'clock treatI search the landTo find a helping handFind a fix tonightDrop out of sightIt's calm nowFor a little whileTill the voice returnsSaying find it nowWhatever I doIt's not enoughNext timeI'll buy twice as muchWhether powder, rock or brickIt's never enough... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Plane flights: 4 of 14
Plane FrustrationWatching down the center aisleYou know who its going to beThe sweaty pits stain like a smileHe points to the window and says that's meSandwiched in the center seatThe aisle lady chatts without missing a beatThe armrest battle endsAs the plane starts to rattleMovement for a momentAway from the gateMy external ... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes Essential albums of the 1980s: 12 of 31
There were a number of albums that defined the first MTV generation, there were some that were somewhat sappy guilty-pleasures and even fewer that stand eternal both in terms of significance and in terms of the music. The 1980s saw an explosion in the number of artists, genres, albums and videos like the world had not seen si... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Immigration Views on illegal immigration in the US: 83 of 212
We as Americans have lost a golden opportunity to secure our borders. With the failure of the latest attempt at immigration reform, Americans lose and illegals win. Was this bill perfect? No. Did it make anyone really happy? No. But in today's political world to have a compromise between such diverse and disparate Senators as... More..